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Rick Pohle |
Head Coach of Men's Golf rickpga@msn.com 413-458-3997 |
Rick Pohle was named the head golf professional at Taconic Golf Club and men's golf coach at Williams in 1983. He is just the third men's golf coach at Williams in the last 71 years.
When Rick Pohle took over for Rudy Goff the landscape of New
England golf changed once again with the inauguration of the NESCAC
Tournament, and again later with team participation in the NCAA
Division III Championships being permitted in 1994.
Through the spring of 2011 Pohle has coached the Ephs for 28
years. He has logged an impressive career record of 1,872-537-8
(.776), winning 16 Little Three championships (including the last
13 in a row), 10 NESCAC titles and 10 trips to the NCAA Division
III Championships. The 10 NESCAC titles is a conference best as is
the 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Pohle also recorded an additional NESCAC and Williams best when he
guided his 1999 Ephs to a 10th place finish at the NCAA Divisions
III Championships.
Pohle has guided the Ephs to six of the last 10 NESCAC titles. Six
Ephs have earned All-America laurels under Pohle and since 1971 the
Ephs have had 10 players earn All-America recognition.
Additionally, 10 Ephs have earned National Scholar Honors while
playing for Pohle.
Pohle was named the NESCAC Coach of the Year in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2009. He was named the Eaton Pride Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 2008.
In 2006, he was awarded the Gordon McCullough Award by the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association for contributions to college golf. Most recently, he was the recipient of the 2010 Labron Harris Award by the Golf Coaches of America for his contributions as a PGA member who’s duties include coaching college golf – he is the first Division III coach ever to be honored with this award.
Pohle is a 1972 graduate of the University of Maine where he received a B.S. in education. He joined the Williams staff from a 6-year stint as the head professional at the Gorham [ME] Country Club. He is a Class "A" and Quarter Century Member of the PGA and has qualified for six National Senior Club Professional Championships (2001-06), while reigning as the Northeast/New York Section Senior Stroke Play Champion four times (2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006).
Rick and his wife Cathy reside in Williamstown and they have two grown children, Joey and Becky.
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Kevin Bennison |
Assistant Coach of Men's Golf 413-458-3997 |
Bennison comes to Williams after spending the past six years as the assistant professional at Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland, NY. Prior to that he was the assistant professional at Quaboag Country Club in Monson, MA for two seasons. In addition, he spent summers working in the golf shop at Orchard Creek GC (Altamont, NY) and Cobleskill G & CC (Cobleskill, NY) during his college years. Since 2007, he has been on the Board of Directors for the NENY PGA Assistants Association.
Bennison is a “Class A” member of the PGA of America
having been elected to membership in 2009. Currently, he is
enrolled in a PGA of America Certified Professional Program in
Instruction to further enhance his skills in teaching. His plans
are to offer a variety of lesson opportunities at the club, in
addition to club fitting services. He has enjoyed great success in
junior golf and has produced a number of accomplished players over
the years at all levels. Not only have his teaching skills reached
a high level, but Kevin is a fine player and enjoys playing in
pro/ams and other events to represent his facility, as well as
casual rounds at the club with members.
Some of his most recent accomplishments include:
Tied for 3rd in NENY PGA Assistant’s Championship (2009)
Semifinalist in NENY PGA Assistant’s Match Play Championship
(2009)
Represented NENY Section in Challenge Cup Matches vs Central NY PGA
Section (2009)
Bennison is a 2003 graduate of Western New England College
(Springfield, MA) with a degree in Business and Sports Management,
where he played #1 on the men’s varsity golf team. As a
complement to his golf career, Kevin is a certified high school
basketball official and has qualified to officiate collegiate games
at the Division III level.
Bennison now resides in Williamstown, Massachusetts.